Closing letter

Aftera brief discussion of the new procedure enacted by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regarding the issuance of Estate Tax Closing Letters (“closing letter”) only if specifically requested by the taxpayer for all estate tax returns filed after June 1, 2015, we decided to watch closely to see what happened with requests for closing letters.The IRS’s website of “Frequently Asked Questions on Estate Taxes” had been previously updated on June 16, 2015, and addressed the issue of when a closing letter could be expected. The IRS asked that taxpayers wait at least four months after filing the Estate Tax Return to make a request for the closing letter. The website also included a chart detailing when the IRS will and won’t issue a closing letter.On August 31, 2015, we filed a 706 Return (no estate tax due) and on February 1, 2016, we sent the IRS a formal request for the closing letter. We received a closing letter on April 18, … [Read more...] about Issuance of IRS Estate Tax Closing Letters

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) announced earlier this year that it would no longer routinely send out an estate tax closing letter and that such letters would have to be specifically requested by the taxpayer. The change in procedure was effective for all estate tax returns filed after June 1, 2015.Previously, an estate tax closing letter was evidence to show that the IRS had either accepted an estate tax return as filed, or if there has been an audit, that final changes had been made and accepted. Receipt of an estate tax closing letter has never meant that the statute of limitations on the return has run, but it has given comfort to the estate administrator that he or she could make distributions and/or pay creditors knowing that the chances of further IRS review of the return was not likely. Many personal representatives and trustees have made it a practice to wait for such a closing letter before funding sub-trusts or making any significant distributions.On … [Read more...] about Now There Are Tax Transcripts In Lieu of Estate Tax Closing Letters

The Internal Revenue Service has announced, in IRS Notice 2017-12, that an IRS-issued account transcript can substitute for an estate tax closing letter. An estate tax closing letter (IRS Letter 627) is a written communication from the IRS which: (1) specifies the amount of net estate tax, the state death tax credit or deduction, if any, and any generation-skipping transfer tax for which the estate is liable; (2) confirms the acceptance of the estate tax return, either as filed or after agreed-upon adjustments made by the IRS. Generally, receipt of an estate tax closing letter indicates that the IRS’s examination of the estate tax return is closed.[1] As of June 1, 2015, the IRS began issuing estate tax closing letters onlyupon the request of an estate.[2]In December of 2015, the IRS announced that it would issue account transcripts reflecting certain transactions, including acceptance of Form 706, United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax … [Read more...] about IRS Announces That Account Transcript Can Substitute For An Estate Tax Closing Letter

In a letter addressed to Chief Justice of India Justice JS Khehar and six other judges, Justice Karnan has stated that he rejected the bailable warrant issued by the Supreme Court after assigning valid reasons.He urged the judges to abstain from “further harassments in order to uphold the dignity & decorum of our Courts”.“This kind of demeaning acts from your Lordships and further perpetrating the Atrocities Act is absolutely out of law to the utter embarrassment of a Dalit judge,” the letter stated.Since the West Bengal judicial jurisdiction is a part of his “control and command”, a bailable warrant became “improper and untenable”, it said. He, hence, claimed to have rejected the warrant issued against him “assigning valid reasons”.It further said, “In any circumstances, you should not show any prejudice at the time of holding any cases, but should follow the procedure of law. It is quite evidence that the … [Read more...] about I Rejected Bailable Warrant After Assigning Valid Reasons: Justice Karnan To SC [Read Letter]

Justice Markandey Katju today said that the President of India should send a warning to Jayalalithaa telling her that she is violating the Constitution, and hence she should release Kovan, who has been arrested for criticizing the Chief Minister Jayalalithaa about sale of liquor, etc, immediately and unconditionally and drop the trumped up charges against him, failing which her government may have to be dismissed.Here is the Full Text of his new post published in his Blog Satyam Bruyat The Tamil singer Kovan has been arrested for criticizing the Chief Minister Jayalalithaa about sale of liquor, etc. But surely in a democracy people have a right to criticize the government. It is not only Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution but also the International Covenant of Political and Human Rights, which India ratified in 1979, which guarantees freedom of speech and expression. Of course this right, like all rights, is not absolute, but is subject to certain restrictions mentioned in … [Read more...] about President of India should warn Jayalalithaa for violating Constitution in Kovan’s Case; Justice Katju [Read the Letter]

CPIL, the petitioner NGO in the 2G scam case before the Supreme Court has claimed that it was five questions that were asked by the then Special Public Prosecutor UU Lalit to the CBI which forced the Central Bureau of Investigation to not file separate responses to petitions filed in the 2G case.Reportedly, a new affidavit has been filed by CPIL and it states that Mr. UU Lalit, after going through the draft affidavits, wrote to CBI Director asking some questions. He asked:Who has drafted these aforesaid paragraphs?Under what authority can the matter be attempted to be reconsidered?Which provision of law empowers such reconsideration at this stage?Once the public prosecutor takes over the matter and presents it before the court right from charge-sheet till closure of prosecution evidence, will it be right and justifiable for the director/department to reconsider the matter?Will such an act not impinge upon the independence of the investigating officer as bestowed upon him by the Code of … [Read more...] about CPIL quotes UU Lalit’s letter, says it forced CBI director not to file separate affidavits in 2G case

Activist Lawyer Prashant Bhushan has written a letter to Allahbad High Court Chief Justice Dr. Justice Dhananjaya Yashwant Chandrachud with a copy marked to Chief Justice of India Justice HL. Dattu seeking immediate intervention in Ghaziabad PF Scam Case in which the CBI had charge sheeted some judges, court staffs and around 10 service providers Here is the Full Text of the Letter To, The Chief Justice High Court of Allahabad Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh Dear Sir, Sub: Disturbing developments in Ghaziabad PF Scam I am writing to you regarding the recent disturbing developments in the Ghaziabad PF scam that involves the judges & former judges of the District Courts of Ghaziabad and of the Allahabad High Court. The Supreme Court had in September 2008 transferred the investigation to the CBI. The CBI in July 2010 had charge sheeted several judges, court staff and around 10 service providers. The CBI then moved a petition before Supreme Court to transfer the case out of Uttar … [Read more...] about Prashant Bhushan writes to Allahabad CJ and CJI Dattu seeking intervention in Ghaziabad PF Scam Case; [Read the Letter]

The letter sent by the Tamil Nadu Government’s Chief Secretary to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Home Affairs on 2 March seeking the latter’s views on the release of seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case is considered a political masterstroke by the Tamil Nadu chief minister, J Jayalalithaa on the eve of the state assembly elections.Analysts point out that there were two options before the state Government, after the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Sriharan vs Union of India, delivered on 2 December last year. In this judgment, the Constitution bench of the court had held that the state Government cannot release convicts under Section 435 Cr.P.C., without consulting the Centre, if the crimes for which they were convicted and sentenced were investigated by a federal investigating agency, like the CBI.More important, it was also held in that judgment that consultation means concurrence of the Central Government, whose views will be binding on the state … [Read more...] about Tamil Nadu Govt’s letter to Centre on release of Rajiv Gandhi convicts, a political masterstroke

A Special Fast Track Court in New Delhi has ruled that intercourse between husband and wife, even if forcible, is not rape.Vikash, who allegedly drugged and raped his wife, was acquitted after the judge substantiated that Indian rape laws don’t apply to married couples. The woman in the present case claimed that her marriage was not legal because she had been abducted against her will, after being sedated by the accused and his father. She alleged that she was abducted by a man, who forced her to sign a marriage certificate while she was intoxicated, in a registry office situated in Ghaziabad. He then raped her on several occasions and threatened of dire consequences if she tried to complain to anybody.The accused denied all allegations and claimed that the marriage had been consensually solemnized in 2012. It was only on March, 2013 that they decided to get their marriage registered.The Judge found no evidence as to drugging of the wife or forceful marriage. It was noted in the … [Read more...] about Marital Sex even if forcible is not Rape; Delhi Court [Read Judgment and a close look at the Law relating to Marital rape in India]

An open letter written by an undergraduate student at Nalsar University of Law, Hyderabad, surfaced on Wednesday. The letter, shared on the Nalsar community Facebook page, is a personal account of sexual assault by an unnamed best friend on campus, revealing the distrust and the emotional turbulence that follows.The Nalsar Hyderabad Student Bar Council (SBC) has since issued an official statement, condemning any act of sexual harassment. It highlighted the importance of allowing the aggrieved to choose appropriate forums, as also the need “to create a conductive environment to foster discussions and sensitisation on campus”.It requested the Vice Chancellor to not roll back or compromise on the extant liberal standards of campus rules. “The incident should not be used to bring back outdated regressive rules,” the letter demanded.As per LegallyIndia, a detailed email with advice was also circulated by Nalsar Associate Professor of Law, Nimushakavi Vasanthi, … [Read more...] about In Open Letter, NALSAR Student Alleges Sexual Assault On Campus